$85,000 to support its North Carolina Youth Conservation Corps (NCYCC) program. The NCYCC uses the natural world as a platform to teach young people environmental stewardship, job and life skills, leadership, community service, and personal responsibility. The grant served Mecklenburg County citizens who use its parks and nature preserves, as well as sixteen youth, ages 16-18, who were interested in a summer job introducing them to environmental science, community service, and park and recreation stewardship. Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve, Latta Park, Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, Steven’s Creek Nature Preserve, and Freedom Park all improved from the funding of this grant. The program shifted into a County funded youth crew program with plans to operate in fall 2020.